When BAAM envisioned a space where students could feel seen, supported, and motivated to grow, they knew it couldn’t be achieved with traditional, static classroom furniture. They needed a partner who understood the power of environment in shaping behavior and outcomes and that’s where Smith System came in.
Whether it’s modernization, adaptive reuse project or facility refresh, the goal is the same: create a better experience without the cost and disruption of building new. Renovations promise a faster path forward. But too often, what
lies beneath the existing floor has other plans.
Educational furniture conversations have traditionally started with products: desks, chairs, finishes, budgets and specifications. Richard Davidson, CEO of educational furnishings manufacturer Marco, believes they should start somewhere else. Before asking what belongs in a classroom, schools, designers and manufacturers should first ask what learners and educators need to experience and
Terrazzo is a poured-in-place flooring system that adapts to a wide range of budgets. Simple layouts and large installations reduce cost per square foot, keeping the floor within reach of many school budgets. The result is a surface that lasts the life of the building.
What if one of the most overlooked specifications in an early learning environment turned out to be one of the most developmentally significant?
Embracing neuro, physical, and emotional diversity as a continuum.
From the layout of furniture to the presence of collaborative zones, from natural light to color on the walls, these details are not secondary to the curriculum — they actively support the curriculum and can augment the teachers’ overall impact.
Tips for Creating Classrooms that Turn Gen A into Gen Awesome
There’s nothing more fulfilling than learning something new. The joy of discovering, understanding, and mastering new knowledge, skills, behaviors, or understanding offers a lifelong sense of accomplishment that never dims.
When the little coastal town of Wareham, Massachusetts, decided to bring together two aging elementary facilities into a new school for 1,000 students, the school district had high expectations. Knowing that the flooring would be a significant factor in the longevity of the 160,000-square-foot facility, stakeholders wanted a finish that
Winnacunnet High School Building Type: High School Space type: Classrooms Location: New Hampshire Climate: Cold, Heating season Problem A high school in New Hampshire faced high heating costs overnight to keep classrooms warm. Solution Use Templok ceilings to store excess heat from the day to maintain warmer indoor temperatures at
Though making a comeback isn’t always easy, few things feel better than proving doubters wrong. Some call it grit, others call it grind, but no matter how you put it, the ability to bounce back from hardship isn’t a trend; resilience is fundamental to survival. In education, where resources are